Pier Park appeals to visitors

PANAMA CITY BEACH – One month after the opening of the first stores in Pier Park, crowds continue to visit the shopping complex – and shop.

Bill Hanke of Edwardsville, Ill., was visiting Panama City Beach on March 11 for the first time with friends who have been regulars to the Emerald Coast for years.

Although his friends usually stayed in Destin, “This year they upgraded to a Wyndam timeshare in Panama City Beach,” Hanke said.

“We were driving around and checking things out in the area when we saw this. We came here and loved it. Look at all the shops that are open,” Hanke said. “My wife and her friend are shopping.”

Although Hanke and his friends were among the older visitors that vacation here during the winter, spring breakers have also discovered Pier Park.

Michelle Creighton, 20, from Ontario, was visiting for the first time. The rest of her group, including her friend Kate Shannon, 20, and her mother Kathy Shannon, and Joanne Rutten, also from Ontario, have been to Panama City Beach many times. 

Although their favorite place is still the beach, shopping at Pier Park ran a close second.

Kathy Shannon said the men were golfing while they shopped. Everyone carried a bag or two.

As new shops open each week and new restaurants kick off grand opening celebrations, visitors were thrilled to have a new place in Panama City Beach.

“We’ve been coming here for 20 years. First, we came with our kids, now we come with our grandkids,” said Ann Svoboda of Aurora, Ill. “They’ve needed something like this.”

“The opening has been a success,” Simon Property Group executive Les Morris said. “Additional stores will continue to open throughout the spring.”

Pier Park is located on 93 acres .between Front Beach Road and U.S. Highway 98 in Panama City Beach.